The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-25

eyes are light with resolution and his voice
is firm. He is almost handsome as he
looks at her, with his glance fond but de-
termined, and his right hand resting on
his heart inside his coat as though to
still its tempestuous beating.
Miss Grey, with a tremulous smile,
draws nearer to him.
81 have decided" she says gently.
"Now and forever"
''Is it to be him, or me'" Though his
accent is steady, she can see that his
very lips are bloodless.
"You, you" she says. And then there
is long, long silence between them.
They are standing in a corner of the ten
mis- ground open to all the world, so that
any demonstration of joy or gratitude OF
love is impossible. But even when ac-
ton is denied the eyes can speak
my belovedW says Mr.. Massareene in
q tone so low that she can barely catch
1t, but 1t is so full of infinite delight and
love that she tells herself it is sufficient in
itself to atone to her for the enormous for
tune she is willingly fiinging away for his
dear sake.
"There is only one thing more" she
says after little bit. "Do not speak of
this until tomorrow has gone by. 1t will
distress ,auntie and Lady Valworth, and
spoil her party"
But, If | say nothing, when Boyle re-
turns he will still regard you as engaged
to him and-and he may expect'--
HE will expect nothing. We have
never been loving couple, assure you.
No. Let the matter rest until Lady Val
worth has had all her enjoyment out Of
her sons birthday ball"
''1t shall be as you wish, of coursen
fnrnptfl11 nf artrthi tn, 80 1.
he takes one of her hands and holds it
closely. "Millicentl tell me you have no
regret-that you do not think have done
you harm instead of good.n
81 think of nothing except that I have
given myself to you for veal or woe, as
the case may be, and that believe it will
be for veal"
"But if not, my darling? Now that
have really won you, grow faint hearted
lest you should ever repent. OH IL you
should do that! If there should be only
poverty-that is woe-before your'
~ should prefer that to veal with
Grant, or any other man." she says softly,
with such light in her eyes as he had
never seen there before.
The day wanes slowly; and night draws
near with reluctant footsteps. Nadine,
standing before her glass, is conscious Of
a thrill of satisfied vanity as she sees the
dainty vision that is gazing back at her
All in white the vision stands: simply
clad thing in virgin muslin, but with
face above it beautiful as dream. That
1t is her own face rejoices the heart of
Nadine.
The many guests accommodating for to-
morrow nights ball have all arrived, and
1t is with a flutter at her breast that
Nadine takes a last glance at her charm
ing person, and clasps round her neck the
diamond cross-Paui Annerley's first gift
to her. 1t had been deemed by her too
grand an ornament to be worn on the ear
lier evenings here, when only simple
black grcnadine had been her dinner
dress, but tonight, as she sees herself
looking all that the heart of man could
desire, in her delicate Indian fabric, she
tells herself that the glistening diamonds
are what will add the last finishing touch
to an already perfect picture.
Taking up her fan, and returning the
maids congratulations on her appearance
with pleased little laugh, she leaves her
room and goes slowly down the staircase
toward the drawing room. For minute
or two she pauses outside the door, partly
from natural nervousness at encountering
SO many strapgers-their voices coming
to her in a subdued murmur from within
and partly to give herself last glance
over in the huge mirror behind her, to as
sure herself that she is looking fairer than
usual and that in her true loves eyes she
may find favor. She sighs little as she
remembers how far she will be from him
In few days time-lost to him forever
bound irrevocably to one whom she may
respect but can never love.
The smile had died from her lips, and
her face is colorless as her gown when she
has finished these sad musings, and OPEN
ing the drawing room door, advances
slowly to where she can see Lady Val
worth in the distance.
The room is somewhat crowded Many
look up as she goes by them. Some re-
gard her silently-these the men; some
ask, in a deprecatoty way, who she is
these the women.
All show an undisguised interest.
Lady Valworth, with whom she has be-
come reigning favorfte, turns to greet
her as she approaches her side.
"You must let me introduce you to
very charming little friend of mine" she
says to her companion, Lord Aster, hold
ing out her hand to Nadine with kindly
smile. "a friend, too, Of Millicent'sr'
She gets through the introduction and
Lord Aster, an old beau with juvenile
lisp, and a wig callow and golden as
chicken IS down, murmurs something COM
plimentary in boyish tone that Is as
labored as it is ancient.
'"There are few arrangements as yet
incomplete. Some eligibles unassigned"
whispers Lady Valworth to her favorite.
~ should like to give you some one who
would amuse you through the tedious time
Of dinner. Would you like"-
She comes suddenly to dead stop. She
had been murmuring to the girl in gay
aside, with smile upon her face, but now
the smile has given place to glance of
mingled astonishment and horror. Her
eyes are fixed on Madness breast, where
the diamond eross-Paul Annerley's gift
is glittering and sparkling magnifi-
Gently as the girls gentle bosom rises
and falls,
"That--where did you get thatfn de-
mands Lady Valworth, in II stiled tone.
Lord Aster, fortunately, is glanciHg
through his iaunty eyeglass at some one
sitting quite at the other end of the room.
Nadine and Lady Valworth are virtually
alone,
"ThatY" asks Nadine nervously, sur
prised at Lady Valworth's, manner, She
looks so innocently at her hostess that the
latter, by supreme effort, recovering
herself, lays her hand reassuringly upon
her arm.
Nothing, my love. 1t was mere start
I received. That pretty cross upon your
neck reminded me of one used to ad-
mire long ago Who gave it to your"
paul Annerley-Paul, to whom l am
Uir nj
sigh. In truth, the pretty bauble-the
value of which is unguessed by her-is
devoid of all tender interest, coming as il
did from him,
"Ahl pretty gift, ~ returns Lady Val
worth absently. In spite of herself her
manner is constrained, She moves away
from Nadine and crosses the room to
where Millicent is standing, conversing
with Geraldine Massareene. Her face is
very pale, and there is excitement in her
eye as she approaches her niece,
"Millicent,h says she abruptly tapping
Miss Grey's arm with her trembling
fingers, Something more than strange
has happened, | must speak to you be-
cause you are her friend and'-
"What is it? You look as IL you had
seen ghostr' eXclaims Miss Grey, COM
pelling her to sink upon u lounge near
her,
~ have seen what never hoped TO see
againl Part of my stolen diamondsl /
have seen my diamond erossp'
CHAPTER XVIII.
"WhereF" exclaims Millioent as much
taken aback as even Lady Valworth can
desire.